No Ordinary Life (41 page)

Dear Reader,

One hour before John Hinckley shot President Reagan in a desperate act to get the attention of Jodie Foster, he wrote a letter that began:

He went on to say how much he loved her and the ways in which he had tried to prove it:

He ended it with a final overture of his unrequited love:

Hinckley got off six shots before he was tackled by police. He wounded the president, two security officers, and President Reagan's press secretary. The letter was used as evidence in the trial against Hinckley, and everything about it is so disturbing that I thought it perfectly illustrated how obsessive fans can become and how scary it would be to be the object of such twisted devotion.

The world of celebrity is fascinating. It is the topic of thousands of magazines, talk shows, news shows, reality shows, and websites. But what would it be like to be swept up into that world? Or to have your child swept up into that world? Thrilling? Terrifying?

We've all heard the train wreck stories. Headlines about Disney stars' tragic downfalls, miraculous recoveries, and outrageous antics plaster the covers of magazines on every newsstand. That story didn't need to be told. And I had no interest in rehashing a
Mommie Dearest
tale about an overzealous stage mom. The story I wanted to tell was about someone real who finds themselves catapulted into superstardom and what that does to them.

I struggled figuring out who that person was, but then I read Pattie Mallette's autobiography,
Nowhere but Up: The Story of Justin Bieber's Mom
, and was struck by the idea of writing a story about a woman similar to her—the story of a young, struggling single mom whose child is discovered on YouTube and becomes an overnight sensation.

Other autobiographies and biographies inspired me as well, but none more than Melissa Francis's story,
Diary of a Stage Mother's Daughter
. What struck me about Melissa's book was that the story wasn't about her. It is a tragic memoir about the damage Melissa's celebrity did to her family, especially her older sister, Tiffany, who died a young death from drug-related heart failure. The story struck a visceral chord, and after reading it, I knew the story I wanted to tell—the story about the destruction a child star's celebrity causes not just to her but to those around her. I wanted it to be Faye's story, Emily's story, Tom's story, and Sean's story as much as Molly's and for Molly's fame to be the catalyst for what happens to each of them.

No Ordinary Life
is not meant to be a statement on the entertainment industry or a generalization about young actors. It is fiction, designed to be dramatic and fraught with trials and tribulations. So though this story was inspired in part by real stories, it is not real. Many young stars not only survive their young celebrity; they thrive because of it, going on to live happy, fruitful adult lives both in and out of the spotlight. Molly is a figment of my imagination as is every other character.

I hope you enjoyed reading the story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

 

Sincerely,

1. Do you think Faye is a good mother, a good person? Do you think she failed Emily? Do you think some of her decisions were selfish?
   
2. Faye was Molly's manager, and sometimes the line between doing what was right for Molly her daughter and doing what was right for Molly the star became blurred. Do you think Faye handled the double role well?
   
3. Sean was an opportunist who returned to ride the coattails of Molly's success. Faye protected the kids from the truth of why he came back as well as the truth about why he left in the first place. Do you think this was the right thing to do? Do children see themselves as a reflection of their parents? If so, is it better for them to view their parents in the best light?
   
4. What do you think of Sean? Do you sympathize with him at all? Were his motives entirely selfish or do you think he returned hoping for reconciliation? Did he redeem himself by walking away? Do you think he is out of their lives forever?
   
5. Was Faye to blame for Emily's rape? Sean? If Emily had not been raped, how do you think the story would have played out?
   
6. Everyone wanted something from Molly. How much is too much? Should Faye have brought Molly to the suicide scene to save Ethan? Is Faye to blame for his death?
   
7. By sabotaging the show, Faye betrayed Tom, who had found his place in the world and was thriving. Do you think Tom will revert back into his shell or continue to thrive? Did Faye choose the welfare of Emily over the welfare of Tom? If Tom discovers what Faye did, how will it affect him? Will he be able to forgive her?
   
8. What do you think lies ahead for Molly? Will her celebrity follow her or will she be able to return to a “normal” life?
   
9. As Faye discovers, celebrity is more than just fame. With it comes money, power, privilege, enormous responsibility, lack of privacy, danger, and stress. Do you think, had Faye realized what she was signing up for, she would have been more equipped to protect her family? Or do you think, regardless of how aware she was of the perils, celebrity by its very nature is corruptive?
   
10. The media played a significant role in the story. How do you feel about the way the media pursues celebrities? Do you think there should be boundaries? What about those celebrities who are under eighteen or those who are famous by association but who didn't choose to be famous—siblings, parents, the children of celebrities?
    
11. A disproportionate number of child stars have issues. Do you think their celebrity causes them to struggle or are people who choose to be celebrities predisposed to having difficulties? If you believe it is the first, what do you think can be done to protect child actors and their families from the dangers of stardom?
    
12. Does it affect your impression of the story to know that much of it is semibiographical—based on the stories of real child stars? Has your perception of child stardom changed?
    
13. How do you feel about Faye implicating Mitten for something he didn't do? Do you think the end justified the means? Do you think there was another way?
    
14. Faye frames Beth for leaking the images of Mitten and Gabby. Do you have sympathy for Beth or do you think she got what she deserved?
    
15. Graciela (Gabby's mom) admitted she sold her daughter for a better life. Is there some validity to this? Is it okay for a child to sacrifice some or all of their childhood to provide better circumstances and a more promising future for the family? How would you feel about your child being the provider of the family? How would it change the family dynamic? How much sacrifice is too much—free time, friends, sports, education, innocence?
    
16. The way the laws are currently written, a child star can end up with little or none of the money they earn. The Coogan Law requires that fifteen percent of a minor's earnings be set aside in a trust until they turn eighteen. Do you think this is enough? Should parents be able to manage the remainder of the money or should an independent party be responsible? Should parents/siblings be compensated because the child actor's celebrity affects them as well?
    
17. Molly is discovered through a YouTube video. Do you think there should be regulations on posting images of someone without their consent?
    
18. The waitress from the steak house slept with Chris hoping Chris would help her get her foot in the door, and Chris called it “a fair exchange.” Do you think sex for opportunity is a fair exchange or is it a form of prostitution? Faye almost slept with Chris because she needed “a little fun” in her life, convincing herself that she could have “meaningless” sex. Do you think sex can be that uncomplicated or does it always come with expectation?
    
19. Have you ever experienced celebrity? If so, how did it affect you and those around you? Most of us want to be acknowledged as special or for doing something well, but do you crave fame? Would you rather have constant recognition or anonymity?
    
20. After reading this story, do you feel differently about celebrities? Who is the most famous person you've met? What was the experience like? How do you think the experience was for them?
    
21. Who was your favorite character? Why?
    
22. Movie time: Who would you like to see play each part?
    

Special thanks to the incomparable Nick Ellison, whose sage counsel, unrelenting faith, and much-needed humor keeps me optimistically pecking away at the keys. Thanks also to everyone at the Nick Ellison Literary Agency, especially Blair Beusman, Danielle Zuckerman, and Chloe Walker.

Thanks to my editor, Alex Logan, who stuck with the story through its many twists and turns and to the entire team at Grand Central, particularly Beth DeGuzman, Julie Paulauski, and Kristin Vorce.

Also thank you to Lindsey Boyd for her insight into the world of Hollywood. To Paul Peterson for his input and for his advocacy for young stars through his organization, A Minor Consideration. To Regina Szal for sharing her expertise on selective mutism. To Sally Eastwood for always reading my stories before they're ready and giving invaluable feedback. To Anne Emigh, Kari Larsen, and Tami Cahill for their early reads and encouragement. To Wieke, Amy, Bettina, and Jenny for always being there to toast in the joyous moments of our journey together. To Suzy Missirlian for always having my back and for her relentless support. To April Brian for her talent and generous spirit. To Russell Pierce for sharing his expertise. To my daughter Halle for her incredible attention to detail and unwavering honesty.

To the rest of my remarkable family, without whom none of this would be possible.

And finally, thank you to Jodie Foster, Melissa Gilbert, Melissa Francis, Shirley Temple, Pattie Mallette, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Jodie Sweetin, Maureen McCormick, Barbara Cameron, and Miley Cyrus for sharing their stories, which allowed me a glimpse into their remarkable lives.

Suzanne Redfearn is a summa cum laude graduate from California Polytechnic University and is an architect, in addition to an author. She is also an avid surfer, golfer, skier, and Angels fan. She lives with her husband and children in California.

To learn more about the author, visit her website at SuzanneRedfearn.com.

Hush Little Baby

“This psychologically astute, swiftly paced story will leave you wondering ‘what if' even after the last page is turned.”

—Christina Schwarz,
New York Times
bestselling author

“Chillingly realistic and pulsating with suspense, this deftly told story will leave you breathless.”

—Heather Gudenkauf,
New York Times
bestselling author

“This snappily paced, cinematic novel about the dysfunctional modern American family from architect and first-time author Redfearn contains heavy doses of violence, danger, and fear. Events hurtle along with great urgency to a rousing climax. A smart, suspenseful debut.”

—
Publishers Weekly

“A compelling tale of the deceit, violation, and anguish that undergird the myth of suburbia. Redfearn's debut ratchets up the tension page by page, as husband and wife try to inflict the most damage on each other without harming the kids. Every character hides something, and each surprising revelation torques the plot further. The emotional and physical injuries mount, driving inexorably toward a surprising climax.”

—
Kirkus Reviews

“Having recently read
Gone Girl
by Gillian Flynn and
Lie Still
by Julie Heaberlin, I was thinking that the chance of finding another book that would have me sitting on the edge of my seat, practically holding my breath, was pretty close to nil. I am pleased to say I was wrong.
Hush Little Baby
is the type of book that you don't put down.”

—BookBinge.com

“Top Pick! 4 1/2 Stars! With clear, efficient dialogue and authentic scenes, this story rings universal. Equal parts suspenseful and moving, Redfearn's skillfully told, candid story flows easily within a well-defined plot, making this novel a stunning and captivating read.”

—
RT Book Reviews